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Dissecting An Apology

If you’re reading this you’ve probably already read the PEOPLE’S VOICE post calling out MEIC Executive Director Jim Jensen after he smugly chided a Montana AFL-CIO staffer when SB 338 went down. Old news, OK. Hit the link and scroll past the post to the comments and check out Jensen’s apology. Now, let’s have a closer look.

‘I apologize for a late night, off-hand, frustrated post.’ Stop. Apology accomplished and complete. ‘The end of the legislative session sees tempers flare, and mine is no exception.’ What’s that smell coming in? Could it be the proverbial excuses are like assholes wafting through? ‘SB 338 has been the subject of much controversy and misinformation. MEIC and our allies (read Talen), including conservation groups in Montana and the Pacific Northwest strongly oppose the bill.’ Yeah Jim, we got that when Anne Hedges and MEIC stood shoulder to shoulder with The Company in opposition of this bill and the families of Colstrip, Montana. Add to that the families of any other Montana resource industry town that would have benefited from this bill that many referred to as a historic marker.

‘This anonymous web site has repeatedly claimed that most conservation groups support the bill. The opposition to this bill is broad, deep and bi-partisan. It claims MEIC has lied about its position. That is simply not true. MEIC staff put our names to what we post.’ First Jim, it’s a blog, not a website. Second, with a tiny bit of diligence you can figure out who you might talk to if you really want to air out your hurt feelings. Third, what you are reading is an anonymous blog. The Ghost of Tom Joad is not affiliated with any organization and its ‘allies’ are the very people MEIC sought to and has harmed through lawsuits to shut down the plants in Colstrip and now through your lovefest with Talen by killing SB 338.

‘But I went too far last night in a short online comment.’ Again, stop. Point made. ‘My frustration got the best of me and I apologize.’ Point made, stop! ‘MEIC supports worker’s rights.’ Worker’s rights aren’t worth much when those workers lose their jobs and are left staring at the foreclosure notices taped to their windows. ‘When I served in the Montana in the Montana House of Representatives, I earned a 100% positive voting record with labor.’ Funny, so did Kim Gillan and look at her now, 30 pieces of silver in her pocket and the blood of injured workers on her hands. You’re in fine company Jim. ‘I object to the statements being posted online saying MEIC is the lone opponent of SB 338 and MEIC is “in bed” with polluters or is being paid off.’ Me thinks Jim doth protest too much. ‘That’s a bridge too far but it still doesn’t excuse my reaction.’ You’re right Jim, it doesn’t. But you can’t seem to just say that.

‘However, I do hope we can all agree that now, more than ever, we all need to return to fact-based arguments.’ Can’t we all just get along? ‘(Finally, I must apologize to my late English-major mother for making a grammatical error.)’ Read ‘Look, I’m cute and funny so everyone should like me now because I denigrated myself for all to see.’ Well sort of. What Jim is really saying is that whoever mocked him is small-minded. Kind of odd as part of an apology. Heck Jim, everyone makes a mistake. It’s OK. But then you went on to butcher your own apology.

How about one small piece of advice Jim? If you’re going to apologize then just say ‘I’m sorry, that was really unprofessional.’ and stop at that. And Jim, you clearly missed the point. If anyone is owed an apology it’s every man, woman and child in the town of Colstrip. How about if you, Anne and all of your ‘allies’ head east and make that apology? Let us know how that works out for you.